Get in front of top investors, industry giants, and decision-makers who can take your startup to the next level.
SUBMIT APPLICATIONINVITE A STARTUP
400+
CHALLENGERS
6
TRACKS
60
FINALISTS
1
WINNER
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS, GAIN VISIBILITY, AND BUILD NEW PARTNERSHIPS
AN EPIC PITCH BATTLE FOR AGRI-FOOD TECH STARTUPS
Food Tech Challengers is a global stage for startups and entrepreneurs transforming the food industry. It’s where bold founders gather to showcase technologies that create a more sustainable, efficient, and scalable food system.
Startups gain exclusive access to 1000+ top investors, industry leaders, and global partners – unlocking new opportunities at the Food Tech Congress.
The competition culminates in an exciting grand finale. Startups pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of esteemed judges, competing for recognition, investment, and a chance to make a lasting impact on the agrifood sector.
WHY 400+ STARTUPS APPLY EACH YEAR
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS
As a finalist, you’ll gain exclusive access to over 1000+ top investors, industry leaders, and global partners at the Food Tech Congress in Barcelona. This is your opportunity to skip the endless email chains and meet decision-makers face-to-face.
GLOBAL EXPOSURE AT FOOD TECH CONGRESS
Whether you’re seeking funding, strategic partnerships, or industry insights, this is where you connect with the right people. At Food Tech Congress, you’ll share your solutions with industry’s key players, leading corporations, and top media outlets, gaining exposure you won’t get anywhere else.
BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS
Present your solutions to a distinguished jury of top venture capitalists and corporate representatives. This is your golden opportunity to secure funding, build long-term partnerships, and boost your startup’s credibility – setting the stage for future industry breakthroughs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A panel of industry-leading experts from top corporations, venture capital firms, ecosystem builders, and media partners will handpick the top 10 companies from each of the six competition tracks.
These 60 standout startups will earn the exclusive chance to pitch live at Food Tech Congress on November 4-5, 2025 in Barcelona. As Europe’s premier food tech event, the platform offers unmatched media exposure and valuable networking opportunities with key players in the industry.
One company will be crowned the ultimate winner of the Food Tech Challengers, marking a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionise the agrifood sector.
DISCOVER THEMES
FOOD TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY & SECURITY
TRUST ON EVERY PLATE
What’s really in our food? Where does it come from? How can we ensure it’s safe, traceable, and sustainable? The Food Transparency, Safety & Security track is for startups tackling these questions with solutions specialising in:
Blockchain & AI-powered traceabilityNext-gen food safety & contamination preventionEthical sourcing & supply chain transparencyEnsuring food security in a changing worldIf you’re building trust in the food system, this is your chance to showcase your innovations, connect with industry leaders, and help shape a safer, more transparent future.
AI & DIGITAL AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS
BEYOND CHATBOTS AND SELF-DRIVING CARS
The future of food is engineered with data, automation, and AI. This track is for startups transforming agriculture and food production through cutting-edge digital solutions like:
AI-driven precision farmingBig data & predictive analytics in food productionAutomation & robotics in agricultureSmart supply chains & sustainability trackingIf you’re building the tech that makes food smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable, this is your platform to shine.
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
RESTORING THE LAND, RETHINKING FOOD
In a world where soil health and biodiversity are at risk, regenerative agriculture is the answer. This track celebrates startups innovating to restore ecosystems, boost soil fertility, and create sustainable farming practices. Apply if your startup is working on:
Soil regeneration & carbon sequestrationBiodiversity-enhancing farming methodsSustainable farming technologiesLocal, resilient food systemsIf you’re leading the charge in regenerating the earth while growing healthier, more sustainable food, this is your moment.
NEW PROTEINS
THE PROTEIN REVOLUTION STARTS HERE
The world is hungry for better protein solutions – are you the one bringing them to the table? The New Proteins track is where bold ideas meet scaling opportunities. We’re looking for startups that aren’t just following trends but setting them. Apply if you’re:
Revolutionising plant-based proteinsBreaking barriers with cell-cultured alternativesBreaking barriers with cell-cultured alternativesHarnessing precision fermentation for the next-gen foodIf you’re transforming how we produce and consume protein, this is your stage. Pitch your breakthrough, connect with investors, and help shape the future of food.
TURNING WASTE INTO WEALTH
WASTE IS OUT. CIRCULAR IS IN
Food waste isn’t just a problem – it’s an untapped opportunity. The Turning Waste Into Wealth track is for startups redefining waste, transforming byproducts into valuable resources, and building a truly circular food system. We’re seeking for startups:
Upcycling food waste into new ingredientsInnovating in bio-based packaging and materialsTurning agricultural byproducts into sustainable solutionsCreating zero-waste food production systemsIf your company is closing the loop and turning waste into wealth, this is your chance to shine. Pitch your solution, connect with investors, and help build a smarter, more sustainable food industry.
WELLBEING VIA NUTRITION
EAT BETTER, FEEL BETTER: THE POWER OF NUTRITION
Food isn’t just fuel. It’s literally the foundation of our health. The Wellbeing via Nutrition track is for startups that change how we eat, making nutrition smarter, more personalised, and more accessible. Join if you specialise in:
Personalised nutrition & functional foodsAI-driven dietary solutions & gut health innovationsNext-gen supplements & biohacking breakthroughsBridging the gap between nutrition, sustainability & longevityJoin to pitch your vision, connect with key players, and be part of the movement redefining wellbeing through nutrition.
TIMELINE
1.
APPLICATION
DEADLINE
SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
2.
TOP 60
ANNOUNCED
SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
3.
TOP 60
PITCHES
NOVEMBER 4-5 @ FTC
4.
WINNERS
ANNOUNCED
NOVEMBER 4-5 @ FTC
STARTUP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
Each of the 60 finalist companies (10 per each track) are granted 1 complimentary ticket to Food Tech Congress 2025. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss!
MEET THE JURY
GABRIELA ALCAT
Project Manager @ Spanish Food and Drink Federation - FIAB
MATTHIEU VINCENT
Partner & Co-Founder @ DigitalFoodLab
SHANKAR SHUBHANG
Managing Director @ Syngenta Group Ventures
DAVID HENSTROM
Chief Executive Officer @ Unibio A/S
RYAN EDWARDS
CEO @ Naked Innovations
BART VAN HOOLAND
Managing Partner @ Thia Ventures
CLÉMENT TISCHER
Head of Food-Tech @ REWE GROUP
DAVID LESTAGE
Global Chief R&D Officer @ Kellanova
AURONI MAJUMDAR
VP, R&D Global Open Innovation @ CJ CheilJedang Foods
JAVIER DUQUE
Corporate R&D Startup Lead @ Nestlé
GUSTAF BRANDBERG
Founding Partner @ Gullspång Re:Food
ALBRECHT WOLFMEYER
International Director, ProVeg Incubator - Venture Partner, Grey Silo Ventures @ ProVeg Incubator / ProVeg International
BILL LIAO
General Partner @ SOSV
AMIR ZAIDMAN
Founder, Chief Business Officer @ The Kitchen FoodTech Hub
BEATRIZ JACOSTE
CEO @ KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub
BODIL SIDÉN
General Partner @ Kost Capital
JOHAN JÖRGENSEN
Founder and Partner @ Sweden Foodtech
GIL HORSKY
Founding Managing Partner @ FLORA VC
DAN ALTSCHULER
Managing Partner @ Unovis Asset Management
FURQAN MEERZA
R&D Chef + Gastronomic Consultant @ Basque Culinary Center (BCC) & Gastronomy Open Ecosystem (GOe)
FOOD TECH CHALLENGERS 2024 HIGHLIGHTS.
WINNERS OF 2024
ULTIMATE CHALLENGER
Koolboks provides a reliable and alternative long-term storage technique due to the superior insulation and ice battery technology employed in the design. It can function as a refrigerator or as a freezer, depending on the preference of the user.
TOP 6 CHALLENGERS
NEW PROTEINS
Perfat and their technology allows food producers to incorporate a healthier fat in applications where solid fats are needed. Low on saturated fats, fewer calories, loads of gut friendly dietary fiber, their solution is built on local plant oil-based sustainability.
ENHANCING WELL-BEING VIA NUTRITION
EXOSOMM is a biotech-foodtech company, inspired by the virtues of mother milk and its unique health properties. It develops a variety of nutritional solutions based on natural milk derived exosomes.
FOOD TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY & SECURITY
inoqo is an innovative SaaS platform designed to help grocery retailers assess and manage the impact of their thousands of products across various dimensions in a scalable way.
FIGHTING FOOD WASTE BATTLE
Koolboks provides a reliable and alternative long-term storage technique due to the superior insulation and ice battery technology employed in the design. It can function as a refrigerator or as a freezer, depending on the preference of the user.
DIGITAL FROM FARM TO FORK
RootWave kills weeds using electricity to give better weed control at a lower cost than chemical herbicides whilst protecting health and helping nature restore its soils, water and biodiversity.
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Responsive Drip Irrigation is the owner of the new method in water resetting the standard for irrigation systems. GrowStream™ tube is the world’s first and only plant-responsive technology delivering water directly to the plant roots as they need.
GOT ANY QUESTIONS?
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Food Tech Challengers are brought to you by Futurae Media – the organisers behind bold global events like Energy Tech Summit, Energy Tech Summit Asia, Compute Summit, Food Tech Congress, Health Tech Forward, and Urban Tech Forward.
We curate high-impact gatherings where innovators, industry leaders, and disruptors come together to spark ideas, strike deals, and shape what’s next in tech and sustainability.
OTHER INITIATIVES FOR STARTUPS
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
JULIA MARTIN | PROVEG INTERNATIONAL
DIANA RUCINSCHI | EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL (EIC)
GILAI NACHMANN | GUT HEALTH at ARLA FOODS